The PGA of America welcomed women media executives for a night at Golf & Body NYC in New York City. The Tuesday, May 12 program started at 5:30 p.m. and provided for a casual evening of food, cocktails, golf and fun for two-full hours at the Manhattan golf specialty venue.
“It’s great to be here, sharing an experience to learn more about the game of golf with those in the industry in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Publisher Debert Cook of the African American Golfer’s Digest. The KPMG Women’s Championship Media Day (Monday, May 11) had previously included discussion of the game’s health and wellness benefits, as well as its professional payoffs.
Photo L-R: LaVerne Mitchell with Suzy Whaley
“We had an opportunity to Swing a club and get a golf lesson from PGA Professional, Suzy Whaley,” said Guest, LaVerne Mitchell. Whaley graciously shared her experience and golf tips with guest in attendance, providing a wealth of knowledge.
“It was nice to also be able meet Suzy and to take a tour of Golf & Body NYC and to visit with PGA of America officials,” commented Florine Thompson. Mitchell and Thompson are both member of the Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association-Brooklyn Chapter. Together they hope to attract more women from throughout New York City to experience the game of golf.
PGA of America Secretary Suzy Whaley, the first woman officer in the history of the PGA of America, along with Sandy Cross, Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion, headed the discussion on women’s golf initiatives. Some of the exciting golf topics touched upon that evening included:
Get Golf Ready: a great way to learn the game of golf in a group setting with friends. Last year, nearly 99,000 people participated in Get Golf Ready programs, including more than 61,000 women (62 percent).
Health and wellness benefits of golf: walking 18 holes of golf is approximately equal to a five-mile walk. A walked 18-hole round of golf burns approximately 2,000 calories; 1,300 calories while riding in a cart.
PGA Junior League Golf: a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 13 and under to play and enjoy golf. They learn the game from PGA and LPGA Professionals, wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends. Golf is a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime and a way for families to play a sport together.
Golf is a great business development tool that gives you quality time on the golf course with a potential client or team building with your colleagues.
Whaley is also the PGA Director of Instruction at Suzy Whaley Golf in Cromwell, Connecticut. She made history when she was elected PGA Secretary at the PGA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on Nov. 22, 2014, becoming the first woman to ever serve as an elected Officer of the Association that will celebrate 100 years in 2016.
A highly decorated golfer, Whaley was a member of the LPGA Tour in 1990 and 1993, and most famously qualified and participated in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, as she became the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for an event on the PGA Tour. This occurred as a result of Whaley becoming the first PGA of America woman professional to win the Connecticut PGA Section Championship.
A member of the National PGA Board of Directors from 2011-2013, Whaley has also served on the Connecticut PGA Section Board of Directors, as well as the Section’s Vice President at Large. On the National Level, she has sat as Chair of the Junior Committee and as Co-Chair of the Player Development Committee. In addition, she has been a member of the Instruction and Diversity Committees.
Photo L-R:Florine Thompson receives instruction from Suzy Whaley
Recognized as a Top 50 golf instructor by Golf Digest, Whaley started at TPC River Highlands in 2005 as a PGA Teaching Professional before being promoted to Director of Instruction in 2013. From 2004-2006, she worked as an LPGA Golf Commentator for ESPN.
A highly decorated golfer, Whaley was a member of the LPGA Tour in 1990 and 1993, and most famously qualified and participated in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, as she became the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for an event on the PGA Tour. This occurred as a result of Whaley becoming the first PGA of America woman professional to win the Connection PGA Section Championship. Whaley is also a three-time Connecticut Women’s Open Champion; National LPGA T&CP Champion Connecticut PGA Section Champion; Connecticut PGA Club Professional Champion; and a two-time LPGA Northeast T&CP Section Champion. In 2002 and 2005, Whaley competed in the PGA Professional National Championship.
Photo L-R: LaVerne Mitchell gains insight into her set-up with the help of Suzy Whaley
Among Whaley’s many other accolades are: 2013 U.S. Kids Master Top-50 Instructors; 2012 LPGA National Nancy Lopez Achievement Award Winner; 2010-2013 Golf Digest Top-5 Female Teacher; 2010-2013 U.S. Kids Top-50 Teachers; 2008-2013 LPGA Top-50 Instructor; plus many more.
Whaley is a 1989 graduate of the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. She and her husband, Bill, are both PGA members. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Kelly, both who play collegiate golf.
S
andy Cross has been a member of the PGA of America staff since 1996 and serves in the newly created position of Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion. A native of Buffalo, New York, Cross is charged with driving the development and execution of a comprehensive, ongoing diversity and inclusion strategy for the Association.
Cross most recently served as director of Women’s and New Market Initiatives, as part of the PGA’s Player Development Team. She led the groundbreaking “Connecting With Her” strategic initiative to grow women’s participation and retention in the game.
Previously, Cross was the PGA’s director of Business Development, where she negotiated and executed multi-million dollar agreements with blue-chip companies. She also managed the development of Golf Retirement Plus, a supplemental retirement program for industry professionals.
Cross is a member of the GOLF 20/20 Women’s Committee and the USGA Women’s Advisory Board. Prior to the PGA, she worked as Director of Special Projects for the United States Water Fitness Association in South Florida. She earned her Masters of Sport Administration from Kent State University and Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Buffalo, where she played NCAA Division I volleyball.
Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is the largest working sports organization in the world, comprised of more than 27,000 dedicated men and women promoting the game of golf to everyone, everywhere.Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is the largest working sports organization in the world, comprised of more than 27,000 dedicated men and women promoting the game of golf to everyone, everywhere. For more information visit PGA.org
